HRH Duchess of Cornwall Presents Winner of RHS Young School Gardener of the Year

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall presented 16 year old Tom Galligan with a prize and certificate to award him the title of RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2013 at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show today.

The RHS Young School Gardener of the Year is a nationwide competition and the highest recognition that the RHS awards school pupils. The Duchess of Cornwall also met some of the finalists*, all budding gardeners, aged between 6 and 16, at the world’s largest annual flower show.

Tom, from New Mills School Business & Enterprise College, in Derbyshire, won the title RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2013 for demonstrating advanced gardening knowledge for his age, a tremendous passion and also skills to grow a wide range of plants. Additionally Tom showed excellent understanding of environmental and sustainable issues. Tom volunteers for the College’s nursery enterprise and also helps out as the College opens its doors to the community of the National Gardens scheme.

Tom said: “I first started getting into gardening when I was five and the reason I became interested was because my Dad would grow vegetables in the garden which I’d eat and really enjoy, and it all carried on from there. Being given the title of RHS Young Gardener of the Year is brilliant, but being able to meet The Duchess of Cornwall makes it all the more special. I think it’s so important to encourage people my age to get into gardening and this award will, I’m sure, help achieve this.”

All judges were unanimous that Tom should win the award and believe he will be a great ambassador for gardening and a role model for children and teenagers his age to get into gardening.

Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, said: “Well done to Tom for a tremendous effort and for winning the competition. He has remarkable ambassadorial skills and his enthusiasm is inspirational. With not enough young people coming into British horticulture today, we’re crying out for exceptional young people like him.

“I have no doubt that Tom will go on to have a rewarding and brilliant career.

“RHS Young School Gardener of the Year recognises the best young gardeners in the UK today and we’re committed to continue nurturing and celebrating young talent and reaching out to young people to help them grow.”

Judges including kid’s TV star and keen gardener, Dom Wood, Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins and gardening journalist, Peter Seabrook, found Tom to be an impressive young man, who could inspire other children his age to garden. The judging panel watched 16 videos created by the finalists and came to the hard but unanimous decision that Tom deserved the title for not only demonstrating knowledge and talent, but good enterprise skills and first class presenting skills.

As well as the overall winner, seven-year-old Ben Rockley from Gilthill Primary School, Nottingham won the Key Stage 1 category**. Eleven-year-old Larson Smith from Stanford in the Vale CE Primary School won Key Stage 2 category and Latvian-born Daniela Sergejeva, 13 from President Kennedy School in Coventry won Key Stage 3.

Tom’s school will receive £500 worth of gardening vouchers and tools to develop outdoor projects. Tom will spend a day with an RHS gardener and receive family tickets to his choice of either RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, or RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2014.

-Ends-

Notes to editors

For more information, please contact Ed Horne in the RHS Press Office on 020 7821 3356 or email edhorne@rhs.org.uk.

Photographs are available to download at www.photoshelter.com (email Ed Horne for details if not registered)

*RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2013
Winners of each category
RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2013 overall winner - Age 14-16 (Key Stage 4)
Tom Galligan (New Mills School Business and Enterprise College, Derbyshire).
Tom is extremely knowledgeable with an excellent understanding of environmental and sustainable issues. All judges agreed Tom should win the award as he is a great ambassador for gardening.

Age 5 – 7 (Key Stage 2)
Larson Smith (Stanford in the Vale CE Primary School, Oxon)
Larson is very skilled and clearly enjoys the practical aspects of gardening. He is clearly seen by everyone at the school as ‘the school gardener’ and his work is crucial to the gardens existence.

Age 7 – 11 (Key Stage 3)
Daniela Sergejeva (President Kennedy School, Coventry)
Daniela produced a very touching video that had most of judges in tears. Originally from Latvia, Daniela lives in a council flat with no garden and only a little balcony. She now plants on the balcony and shows her brother how to garden too. She has a good knowledge of plants and she shares this knowledge with other children – she runs a workshop for peers.

Notes to Editors:
About the RHS Campaign for School Gardening
The RHS actively involves more than 17,100 schools across the UK in growing and gardening through its Campaign for School Gardening. Children are taught about plants and gardening and their environment. Through gardening they learn about healthy fruit and vegetables, wildlife and important life skills such as teamwork, social skills and co-operation. Huge benefits are to be had from using an outdoor classroom where children can learn in a fun, engaging way. Information, lesson plans and advice for schools is provided online and is backed up by support from the RHS education team and Campaign for School Gardening Regional Advisors. www.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening

About the RHS
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgwood for the encouragement and improvement of the science, art and practice of horticulture. We held our first flower shows in 1820, were granted a Royal Charter in 1861 and acquired RHS Garden Wisley in 1903. From our first meetings in a small room off London’s Piccadilly, we have grown to become the world’s largest gardening charity.

Today the RHS is committed to providing a voice for all gardeners. We are driven by a simple love of plants and a belief that gardeners make the world a better place. 209 years on we continue to safeguard and advance the science, art and practice of horticulture, creating displays that inspire people to garden. In all aspects of our work we help gardeners develop by sharing our knowledge of plants, gardens and the environment.

RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. Support the RHS and secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk/join

About the RHS

The RHS believes that gardening improves the quality of life and that everyone should have access to great garden experiences. As a charity we help to bring gardening into people's lives and support gardeners of all levels and abilities; whether they are expert horticulturists or children who are planting seeds for the very first time.

RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. Support the RHS and secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk